Stabilizing arrangement

ABSTRACT

A stabilizing arrangement for use with a table, includes a support structure which is mountable to a table top. Four feet are mounted on the support structure so that a line drawn between a first pair of the feet intersects a line drawn between a second pair of the feet. The feet of each pair are fixed relative to each other and the pairs are linearly displaceable relative to each other. A displacement mechanism is arranged on the support structure to permit linear displacement of the pairs of feet relative to each other. The displacement mechanism is operable when the feet are placed on an uneven support surface so that all four feet can be against the support surface, in use.

THIS INVENTION relates to a stabilising arrangement. More particularly,this invention relates to a stabilizing arrangement for use with atable.

It is often a problem with tables having four feet that the feet do notall contact a support surface. This results in the table rocking on thesupport surface. This can occur on a planar support surface, such as afloor if the feet do not have four points of contact that define aplane. Alternatively, the four points of contact could define a planebut the support surface could be uneven. A particular example would be arestaurant table on a hard floor such as that which is tiled. If one ofthe feet slips into a crack between two tiles, the table will rockresulting in user irritation. An attempt to solve the former problem hasbeen to utilise articles having three feet. A problem with this,however, is that the table tends to be unstable, especially when thetable is top heavy, and tilts too easily. This invention provides ameans whereby rocking is, to a large extent, eliminated withoutsacrificing the stability of the table.

In this specification, the word “table” is to be understood to mean anyarticle or device for bearing a load.

According to the invention, there is provided a stabilizing arrangementfor use with a table, the arrangement including

a support structure, which is mountable to a table top being mountableon the support structure;

four feet which are mounted on the support structure so that a linedrawn between a first pair of the feet intersects a line drawn between asecond pair of the feet, the feet of each pair being fixed relative toeach other with the pairs being linearly displaceable relative to eachother; and

a displacement means arranged on the support structure which permitslinear displacement of the pairs of feet relative to each other, whenthe feet are placed on an uneven support surface so that all four feetcan bear against the support surface, in use; and

a displacement limiting means which is operatively arranged with respectto the support structure and the feet and which is automaticallyfrictionally operable to limit linear displacement of the pairs of feetrelative to each other when all four feet bear against the supportsurface.

The support structure may include a first and a second support member.The support members may be linearly displaceable with respect to eachother. The first pair of feet may be fixed to the first support memberand the second pair of feet may be fixed to the second support member.

The first support member may be hollow. The second support member may bereceived within the first support member.

The first support member may have covering elements extending therefromto cover the second pair of feet. The covering elements may have anappearance similar to that of the first pair of feet.

The first support member may be fastenable to the table top.

A mass of the second support member may be such that contact of thesecond pair of feet with the support surface is facilitated.

The arrangement may include a spring mounting means to permit the secondsupport member to be spring mounted with respect to the table top tobias the second support member away from the table top.

The displacement means may be in the form of a lever mechanism which isarranged between the support members. The lever mechanism may beconfigured so that, on movement of one of the support members towardsthe table top, the other support member is urged away from the tabletop, and vice versa, in use.

The lever mechanism may include a lever. The lever member may bepivotally arranged, at one end, with respect to the first supportmember, and, at an opposed end, pivotally arranged with respect to thesecond support member. The lever mechanism may also include a fulcrumwhich is fastenable to the table top and which bears against the levermember at a position intermediate the ends of the lever member. Thus,substantially an entire load carried by the table top bears on the levermember, in use.

One end of the first support member may define a tapered surface. Onecorresponding end of the second support member may also define a taperedsurface. The tapered surfaces may be configured so that, when the endsof the members are adjacent each other, the surfaces together define aformation having a substantially “V”-shaped profile which opens towardsan underneath surface of the table top, in use.

Instead, a least one urging member may be located in the formation. The,or each, urging member may be configured so that, when a load is carriedby the table top, on upward movement of the first member, the urgingmember bears against the tapered surface of the second member to urgethe second member downwardly, and vice versa.

One urging member, in the form of a split ring, may be received in theformation.

Instead, a pair of urging members in the form of a pair of diametricallyopposed spheres may be located in the formation.

Further, one urging member in the form of a deformable member may belocated between the upper ends of the member and the underneath surfaceof the table top, in use.

The displacement limiting means may include at least one frictionalengaging member which may be arranged on one of the support members.The, or each, frictional engaging member may project from said one ofthe support members so that, when the support members tilt relative toeach other, the, or each, engaging member frictionally engages the othersupport member to inhibit linear displacement of the support membersrelative to each other.

Instead, the displacement limiting means may include at least one pin,which is attached to, and extends between opposed positions on the firstsupport member. A pin may be received in each of one or more formationsdefined in the second support member. The, or each, pin and itsassociated formation may be configured so that linear displacement ofthe support members relative to each other is permitted when the supportmembers are positioned substantially parallel to each other, but isinhibited when one of the support members is angled relative to theother support member.

The displacement limiting means may include two, spaced pins, a pinbeing received in each of a pair of spaced slots defined in the secondsupport member.

The invention extends to a table which includes the stabilizingarrangement as described above.

In the drawings,

FIG. 1 shows a schematic sectioned side view of a table having oneembodiment of a stabilizing arrangement according to the invention;

FIG. 2 shows a schematic, sectioned side view of a table having anotherembodiment of a stabilizing arrangement according to the invention;

FIG. 3 shows a three dimensional view of a fulcrum of the stabilizingarrangement of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 shows a schematic, sectioned side view of a table having anotherembodiment of a stabilizing arrangement according to the invention;

FIG. 5 shows a schematic side view of part of another embodiment of astabilizing arrangement according to the invention;

FIG. 6 shows a schematic side view of part of another embodiment of astabilizing arrangement according to the invention;

FIG. 7 shows an urging member of the arrangement of FIG. 5;

FIG. 8 shows a schematic side view of part of another embodiment of astabilizing arrangement according to the invention;

FIG. 9 shows a schematic, side sectioned view of covering elements of astabilizing arrangement according to the invention;

FIG. 10 shows a schematic, side sectioned view of a table having anotherembodiment of a stabilizing arrangement in accordance with theinvention; and

FIG. 11 shows a schematic, side sectioned view of a table having anotherembodiment of a stabilizing arrangement in accordance with theinvention.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 10 generally indicates a table which hasone embodiment 12 of a stabilizing arrangement according to theinvention.

The arrangement 10 includes a support structure 14. A table top 16 ismounted on the support structure 14.

The arrangement 12 includes four feet 18 which are mounted on thesupport structure 14. A line drawn between a first pair of feet 18.1intersects a line drawn between a second pair of feet 18.2. The feet 18of each pair are fixed relative to each other while the pairs arelinearly displaceable relative to each other.

The stabilizing arrangement 12 includes a displacement means ormechanism 20. The mechanism 20 permits linear displacement of the pairsof feet 18 relative to each other. The mechanism 20 is operable when thefeet 18 are placed on an uneven support surface (not shown) so that allfour feet 18 can bear against the support surface.

The support structure 14 includes a first support member. The firstsupport member is a sleeve 22. The sleeve 22 has an open lower end 24and an open upper end 26. Each foot 18.1 is connected to the lower end24 of the sleeve 22, via an arm 28.

The structure 14 includes a second support element. The second supportelement is a prop 30. The prop 30 has an upper end 32 and a lower end34. Each foot 18.2 is connected to the prop 30 via an arm 36. Each arm36 extends through an opening 38 defined in the sleeve 22.

A projection 40 extends from the upper end 32 of the prop 30. A ledge 42is defined by an inner surface 44 of the sleeve 22. The position of theledge 42 is diametrically opposed to the position of the projection 40.

A lever member or lever 46 is supported, at one end 48, on theprojection 40. An opposed end 50 of the lever 46 is supported on theledge 42. The projection 40 and the ledge 42 are positioned intermediatethe lower and upper ends 24, 26 of the sleeve 22.

The arrangement 12 includes a carrier 52. The carrier 52 is fastened toan underneath surface 54 of the table top 16 via screws 56.

The carrier 52 extends into the sleeve 22. A fulcrum 58 is defined by afree end 60 of the carrier 52. The fulcrum 58 bears against the lever 46intermediate the ends 48, 50 of the lever 46. A position of the lever 46and a length of the carrier 52 are such that a gap 61 is providedbetween the upper end 26 of the sleeve 22 and the table top 16. Itfollows that a weight of the table top 16 and any items placed on thetable top 16 is exerted on the lever 46.

In use, the table 10 is placed on the support surface. If one of thefeet 18.1 is displaced upwardly as a result of a support surface beinguneven, the sleeve 22 moves upwardly with respect to the prop 30. Thiscauses pivotal, clockwise movement of the lever 46. Such movementresults in a downward force being exerted on the prop 30 via theprojection 40. In this manner, the second pair of feet 18.2 are urgedinto contact with the support surface to inhibit rocking of the table10. Rocking resulting from upward displacement of one of the feet 18.2is inhibited through pivotal, anti-clockwise movement of the lever 46.

it is undesirable that further linear movement of the carrier 52relative to the sleeve 22 occurs when all four feet 18 bear against thesupport surface. Thus, the table 10 includes a displacement limitingdevice in the form of frictional engaging formations in the form ofprotuberances 62 defined on the carrier 52. The protuberances 62 aredimensioned and positioned on the carrier 52 so that angular relativemovement of the carrier 52 and the sleeve 22 results in theprotuberances 62 frictionally engaging an inner surface of the sleeve22. It is also undesirable that excessive relative linear movement ofthe prop 30 and the sleeve 22 occurs when all four feet 18 bear againstthe support surface. Thus, the prop 30 has frictional engagingformations in the form of protuberances 64 defined thereon. Theprotuberances 64 are positioned and dimensioned frictionally to engagethe inner surface of the sleeve 22 upon angular movement of the prop 30relative to the sleeve 22.

The ends 24, 26 of the sleeve 22 each have an inwardly directed lip 66defined thereon. When a user lifts the table 10 by gripping the tabletop 16, the lips 66 bear against the protuberances 66, 64, and inhibitdismantling of the table 10.

In FIG. 2, reference numeral 70 generally indicates a table havinganother embodiment 72 of a stabilizing arrangement according to theinvention. With reference to FIG. 1, like reference numerals refer tolike parts, unless otherwise specified.

The prop 30 is hollow and has a cylindrical wall 31. An end wall 71closes the upper end 32. An opening 73 is defined in the end wall 71.

A rod 74 is connected to the fulcrum 58 and extends through an opening82 defined in the lever 46, which is in the form of a rocker-plate. Therod 74 also extends through the opening 73. A free end 76 of the rod 74is threaded. The threaded end 76 is received through a retaining nut 78.The nut 78 is dimensioned to inhibit the rod 74 from being withdrawnthrough the openings 73, 82.

Thus, dismantling of the table 70 is inhibited when the table 70 islifted.

In FIG. 4, reference numeral 90 generally indicates another embodiment92 of a stabilizing arrangement according to the invention. Withreference to FIGS. 1 to 3, like numerals refer to like parts, unlessotherwise specified.

Instead of the carrier 52 and the prop 30, the arrangement 92 has aweight 94 positioned within the sleeve 22. The weight 94 comprises ahollow cylinder 96 and concrete 98 contained within the cylinder 96. Thearms 36 are connected to the cylinder 96.

The table top 16 is fastened to a flange 100 defined by the upper end 26of the sleeve 22. A gap 102 is provided between an upper end 104 of theweight 94 and the underneath surface 54 of the table top 16. Theprotuberances 64 are located on the cylinder 96 and operate in themanner described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, to inhibit relativelinear movement of the sleeve 22 and the weighted member 94, when allfour feet 18 bear against the support surface. The weighted member 94serves to assist in ensuring the feet 18.2 remain in contact with thesupport surface. This has a stabilizing effect on the table 70.

In FIG. 5, reference numeral 110 generally indicates another embodimentof a stabilizing arrangement according to the invention.

The arrangement 110 includes the second support member which is in theform of a bar 112.

The upper end 26 of the sleeve 22 has a chamfered inner edge 114. Anupper end 116 of the bar 112 has a chamfered edge 118. The edges 114,118 are positioned together to define a formation 120 having a“V”-shaped profile. The profile opens towards the underneath surface 54of the table top 16.

An urging member in the form of a split ring 122 (FIG. 7) is received inthe formation 120. The split ring 122 is dimensioned so that theunderneath surface 54 of the table top 16 bears against the split ring122. Thus, when a load is carried by the table top 16, upward movementof the sleeve 22 causes the split ring 122 to close and to bear againstthe edge 118 of the bar 112. The bar 112 is thus urged downwardly.Upward movement of the bar 112 causes the ring 122 to open. The sleeve22 is thus urged downwardly. The resultant relative displacement of thesleeve 22 and the bar 112 has a stabilising effect.

In FIG. 6, reference numeral 130 generally indicates another embodimentof a stabilizing arrangement according to the invention. With referenceto FIGS. 1 to 5, like reference numerals refer to like parts, unlessotherwise specified.

The arrangement 130 is substantially the same as the arrangement 110.However, instead of the split ring 122, the arrangement 130 has afluid-filled, flexible bag 132 positioned above the end 26 of the sleeve22 and the end 116 of the bar 112 and below the underneath surface 54 ofthe table top 16.

In FIG. 8, reference numeral 140 generally indicates another embodimentof a stabilising arrangement according to the invention. With referenceto FIGS. 1 to 7, like reference numerals refer to like parts, unlessotherwise specified.

Instead of the split ring 122 or the fluid-filled bag 130, thearrangement 140 has a pair of diametrically opposed spheres 142positioned in the formation 120.

In FIG. 9, reference numeral 150 indicates a cover, a pair of which isattached to the sleeve 22 of any of the previous embodiments. One cover150 is shaped to cover each arm 36 and its associated foot 18.2.Furthermore, the covers 150 are shaped to appear substantially the sameas the arms 28 and feet 18.1. Thus, the existence of the variousarrangements described above will not be immediately apparent to a user.

In FIG. 10, reference numeral 160 generally indicates a table havinganother embodiment 162 of a stabilizing arrangement according to theinvention. The arrangement 162 is substantially the same as thearrangement 92. However, instead of the weight 94, the second supportelement, indicated at 164, is connected to the table top 16 via a spring166. The spring 166 is configured to urge the support member 164 andthus the feet 18.2 into contact with the support surface. The supportmember 164 can be the weight 94 or simply a cylinder.

The arrangement 162 is shown incorporating the covers 150. As mentionedabove, the covers 150 can be used with any of the previous embodiments.

Instead of protuberances 64, the displacement limiting means of thearrangement 162 includes a collar 180, which is fastened to an innersurface of the sleeve 22. An upper end 182 of the collar 180 has a lip184 extending inwardly therefrom. A lower end 186 of the collar 180 alsohas a lip 188 extending inwardly therefrom. The lips 184 and 188 servethe same purpose as the protuberances 64 described earlier.

In FIG. 11, reference numeral 170 generally indicates a table havinganother embodiment 172 of a stabilizing arrangement in accordance withthe invention.

The arrangement 172 is similar to the arrangement 92 shown in FIG. 4.The arrangement 172 does not, however, have the protruberances 64 toinhibit excessive relative linear displacement.

Instead, a first pin 178 and a second pin 190 are attached to, andextend between, opposed positions on the sleeve 22.

An upper end 174 of the weighted member 94 has a slot 176 definedtherein. The pin 178 is positioned in the slot 176, by urging the pin178 through diametrically opposed openings (not shown) defined in thesleeve 22 and through the slot 176. A lower end 192 of the weightedmember 94 has an opening 194 defined therein. The pin 190 is positionedin the opening 194 by urging the pin 190 through diametrically opposedopenings (not shown) defined in the sleeve 22 and through the opening194.

As can be seen in FIG. 11, both the pins 178, 190, the slot 176, and theopening 194 have a rectangular cross section. The relative dimensions ofthe pin 178 and the slot 176, and the pin 190 and the opening 194 aresuch that, while a pair of opposed sides of each pin 178, 190 issubstantially parallel to a pair of opposed sides of its associated slot176 and opening 194 relative linear movement of the weight member 94 andthe pins 178, 190 is permitted. The relative dimensions are such that,when angular movement of the weighted member 94 relative to the pins178, 190 occurs, the pins 178, 190 jam in their respective slot 176 andopening 194, inhibiting linear movement.

It will readily be appreciated that, when all four feet 18 are on thesupport surface and a downward, off-center force is applied to the tabletop 16, angular movement of the weight 94 relative to the pins 178, 190causes the weighted member 94 to lock frictionally in position relativeto the sleeve 22.

The use of the pins 178, 190 facilitates manufacture of the arrangement172 since accurate tolerancing is not required. Further, if the sleeve22 is dented or otherwise damaged, the pins 178, 190 serve to retain thefrictional engaging characteristics of the weight 94 and the sleeve 22relative to each other.

It will readily be appreciated that the pins 178, 190, the slot 176 andthe opening 194 can replace the protruberances 62, 64 in the otherembodiments shown in the drawings.

The invention provides a stabilizing arrangement which is of a lowmanufacturing cost compared to other known stabilising arrangements andis therefore particularly suited for mass production and high quantityuse.

What is claimed is:
 1. A stabilizing arrangement for use with a table,the arrangement including: a support structure, a table top beingmountable on the support structure; four feet which are mounted on thesupport structure so that a line drawn between a first pair of the feetintersects a line drawn between a second pair of the feet, the feet ofeach pair being fixed relative to each other with the pairs beinglinearly displaceable relative to each other; and a displacement meansarranged on the support structure to permit linear displacement of thepairs of feet relative to each other, the displacement means beingoperable when the feet are placed on an uneven support surface so thatall four feet can bear against the support surface, in use and; adisplacement limiting means which is operatively arranged with respectto the support structure and the feet and which is automaticallyfrictionally operable to limit linear displacement of the pairs of feetrelative to each other when all four feet bear against the supportsurface.
 2. The arrangement as claimed in claim 1, in which the supportstructure includes a first and a second support member which arelinearly displaceable with respect to each other, with the first pair offeet being fixed to the first support member and the second pair of feetbeing fixed to the second support member.
 3. The arrangement as claimedin claim 2, in which the first support member is hollow and the secondsupport member is received within the first support member.
 4. Thearrangement as claimed in claim 3, in which the first support member hascovering elements extending therefrom, to cover the second pair of feet,the covering elements having an appearance similar to that of the firstpair of feet.
 5. The arrangement as claimed in claim 3, in which thefirst support member is fastenable to the table top.
 6. The arrangementas claimed in claim 5, in which a mass of the second support member issuch that contact of the second pair of feet with the support surface isfacilitated.
 7. The arrangement as claimed in claim 5, which includes aspring mounting means to permit the second support member to be springmounted with respect to the table top to bias the second support memberaway from the table top.
 8. The arrangement as claimed in claim 3, inwhich the displacement means is in the form of a lever mechanism whichis arranged between the support members, the lever mechanism beingconfigured so that, on movement of one of the support members towardsthe table top the other support member is urged away from the table topand vice versa, in use.
 9. The arrangement as claimed in claim 8, inwhich the lever mechanism includes a lever member which is pivotallyarranged, at one end, with respect to the first support member, and, atan opposed end, pivotally arranged with respect to the second supportmember, and a fulcrum member which is fastenable to the table top andwhich bears against the lever member at a position intermediate the endsof the lever member so that substantially an entire load carried by thetable top bears on the lever arm, in use.
 10. The arrangement as claimedin claim 3, in which one end of the first support member defines atapered surface and one corresponding end of the second support memberalso defines a tapered surface, the tapered surfaces being configured sothat when the ends of the members are adjacent each other, the surfacestogether define a formation having a substantially “V”-shaped profilewhich opens towards an underneath surface of the table top, in use, atleast one urging member being locatable in the formation, the, or each,urging member being configured so that, when a load is carried by thetable top, on upward movement of the first member, the urging memberbears against the tapered surface of the second member to urge thesecond member downwardly, and vice versa.
 11. The arrangement as claimedin claim 3, in which the displacement limiting means includes relativeconfigurations of the first and second support members which are suchthat linear displacement of the support members relative to each otheris permitted when the support members are positioned substantiallyparallel to each other, but is inhibited when one of the support membersis angled relative to the other support member.
 12. The arrangement asclaimed in claim 11, in which the displacement limiting means includesat least one frictional engaging formation which is defined on one ofthe support members, the, or each, engaging formation being configuredso that, when the support members tilt relative to each other, the oreach, engaging formation frictionally engages the other support memberto inhibit linear displacement.
 13. The arrangement as claimed in claim3, in which the displacement limiting means includes two, spaced pins, apin being received in each of a pair of spaced slots defined in thesecond support member.
 14. A table comprising: a table top; astabilizing arrangement, the arrangement including a support structure,which is mounted to the table top, the arrangement further includingfour feet mounted on the support structure so that a line drawn betweena first pair of the feet intersects a line drawn between a second pairof the feet, the feet of each pair being fixed relative to each otherwith the pairs being linearly displaceable relative to each other; adisplacement limiting means arranged on the support structure for lineardisplacement of the pairs of feet relative to each other when the feetare placed on an uneven support surface so that all four feet can bearagainst the support surface, in use; and a displacement limiting meanswhich is operatively arranged with respect to the support structure andthe feet and which is automatically frictionally operable to limitlinear displacement of the pairs of feet relative to each other when allfour feet bear against the support surface.